DNR to Improve Houghton Lake Flats South Unit This Summer

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The DNR will improve the South Unit of Houghton Lake Flats this summer. Photo courtesy of Michigan Department of Natural Resources.

This summer, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources will rehabilitate the South Unit at Houghton Lakes Flats, a popular spot for wildlife viewing and fishing just off U.S. 127 in Roscommon County.

Once completed, the rehabilitated South Unit dike system will allow the DNR to control water levels in the 350-acre wetland and improve wildlife habitat.

The South Unit dike system was built in the 1960s to mitigate the environmental impact of building U.S. 127. Houghton Lake Flats is sourced by nearby Houghton Lake, the largest inland lake in Michigan.

“The current dike system, which includes several miles of dikes and a dam, provides impounded water for many species of wildlife,” said Mark Boersen, a DNR wildlife biologist based in Roscommon. “However, several years ago the water pump failed, taking away the DNR’s ability to manipulate water levels to improve the wildlife habitat. Additionally, time has taken a toll on the South Unit dam so that it can no longer safely and efficiently hold water.”

Crews will replace the South Unit’s concrete dam, pumphouse, underground pipes and related structures with modern equipment. Construction is expected to begin this summer, once high-water levels drop to an appropriate level, and be completed in the fall.

The gazebo at Houghton Lake Flats is popular for wildlife viewing and can be seen from U.S. 127 in Roscommon County. Photo courtesy of Michigan Department of Natural Resources.

Public access to the South Unit gazebo and fishing platform will be closed during the project. However, the North Unit of the flats — a 335-acre wetland north of County Road 300 — will remain open during construction. Read more

Fishing

Guns.com Launches July 4th Sale Honoring America’s 250th Anniversary

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Exclusive promotions from Rost Martin, Savage, and a Custom Colt Python Benefit Auction Headline Nationwide Sale

Guns.com announces its July 4th Fuel Your Freedom sale celebrating the enduring spirit of liberty and freedom that have defined the nation since 1776. Starting today through Sunday, July 5, millions of gun owners will find huge savings and exclusive deals on firearms, suppressors, ammo, magazines, optics, gear, and more to celebrate the red, white, and blue.

Powered by industry partners including Henry Repeating Arms, Rost Martin, Burris Optics, and Meta Tactical, the holiday sale is part of a larger summer-long campaign delivering exclusive promotions on firearms, suppressors, ammo, optics, and range gear — everything gun owners need to fuel their freedom.

July 4th Promotions Include:

• Doorbuster deals on select products
• All new Rost Martin firearms ship free
• All new Savage firearms ship free
• 10% Off all Certified Used firearms
• 10% off all accessories
• Buy nine boxes of ammunition and receive one free

In addition to these limited-time deals, customers can continue to enjoy ongoing promotions, including:

• Free shipping on all Burris, EOTECH, and Holosun optics
• A $100 instant rebate on all new Colt King Cobra revolvers
• Up to $75 instant rebate on Bond Arms firearms
• “Buy a Gun, Get a Free Can” promotion in partnership with Outlier
• Free shipping on every in-stock suppressor available through Guns.com‘s nationwide Dealer Network Read more

General

SilencerCo Lets Freedom Ring with the “Always American. $250 for 250.” Promotion

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SilencerCo celebrates 250 years of American independence with a money-saving summer promotion built to celebrate America, American manufacturing and American trigger time.

WEST VALLEY CITY, Utah — Some things don’t translate. The European mind simply cannot comprehend why Americans spend their weekends at the range and in the woods, spend small fortunes on ammo, and long to hear the unmistakable sound of freedom as that ammo clangs against steel targets.

They probably can’t comprehend why we’d insist on designing, machining, assembling, and supporting every suppressor right here in Utah, either.

But, hey, America wasn’t built on doing things the easy way.

To celebrate the 250th anniversary of American Independence, SilencerCo is launching its ALWAYS AMERICAN. 250 FOR 250. promotion, which runs from June 23, 2026, to August 15, 2026. Anyone who purchases a qualifying suppressor and submits the required documentation will receive $250 in SilencerCo Web Store Credit, valid until October 31, 2026. The promotion applies to several of SilencerCo’s most popular suppressors, including the Velos Series (Velos LBP 556, Velos LBP 556K, Velos LBP 762), Hybrid Modular Series (Omega 36M and Hybrid 46M), and Scythe Series (Scythe Ti and Ti Black).

For complete promotion details and qualifying products, visit silencerco.com/always-american/.

The ALWAYS AMERICAN. 250 for 250. promotion celebrates more than America’s milestone birthday. It celebrates the values that have driven SilencerCo since its founding in 2008: American manufacturing, American innovation, and the belief that shooters deserve products built by people who actually understand what happens when a trigger is pulled.

“America has spent 250 years proving that independence, self-reliance, and hard work still matter,” said Mike Aland, Chief Marketing Officer of SilencerCo. “We’re proud to build suppressors in Utah with American Workers, American materials, and American craftsmanship. ALWAYS AMERICAN is our way of celebrating that legacy while giving something back to the shooters who continue to support American manufacturing and want to let freedom ring downrange.” Read more

General

XS Sights Introduces Pre-Drilled Fiber Optic Sights for S&W J-, K-, and L-Frame Revolvers

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Fort Worth, Texas – XS® Sights is now offering its advanced, pre-drilled fiber optic sights for Smith & Wesson J-, K-, and L- Frame revolvers. The proprietary US-sourced fiber optic technology and angled design of these sights significantly increase light transmission, creating an aiming point with exceptional daylight brightness. Built for rugged use, these steel sights are made in the USA. The standard-size front sight comes with a green fiber optic insert in addition to an interchangeable orange fiber optic insert for color customization based on personal preference.

“We’re excited to offer our first fiber optic sights for revolvers,” said Jeff King, Marketing Manager, XS Sights. “The special design of the XS Fiber Optic Sights makes them more durable than most on the market and increases the brightness of the aiming point making it an awesome upgrade to any competition, plinking, or self-defense revolver.”

XS sights are backed by a Limited Lifetime Warranty. The company also offers a 12-year illumination warranty on all tritium products. For more information, visit www.xssights.com. Read more

Optics

Magnum Research Suppresses the Mighty .50 AE with the New Threaded Barrel Desert Eagle

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Magnum Research, Inc. is proud to announce a significant evolution of the world’s most iconic hand cannon with the introduction of the suppressor-ready Mark XIX Desert Eagle in .50 AE. Designated as the DE50THR, this powerhouse is designed to provide shooters with a modern, tactical solution for managing the legendary recoil and report of the .50 Action Express. At the heart of this new platform is a six-inch black carbon steel threaded barrel featuring a 49/64″-20 thread pitch, which allows for the seamless integration of preferred suppressors or muzzle devices.

To ensure the flawless cycling and reliability that owners expect from the Desert Eagle, the DE50THR includes a specialized L5 piston specifically engineered for the unique gas pressures required for suppressed operation. For shooters who already own a Desert Eagle platform, Magnum Research is making this innovation accessible through the BAR506THR standalone threaded barrel with piston. This component serves as a direct upgrade to modernize existing Mark XIX pistols without the need for a complete firearm purchase. Whether choosing the full pistol (DE50THR) at an MSRP of $2,041 or upgrading an existing pistol with the BAR506THR barrel for an MSRP of $618, shooters can now experience the ultimate in suppressed magnum power. Read more

Firearms

Want the Chance to Hunt Big Game This Fall? Remaining 2026 Deer, Elk Permits to be Sold Beginning July 7

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Photo courtesy of Utah Division of Wildlife Resources

If you didn’t draw a buck deer or bull elk permit during the hunt drawing earlier this year — and you’re still interested in hunting deer or elk this fall — your last chance to obtain a big game permit begins next week.

The permits are first come, first served, and you must have a valid hunting or combination license to purchase a permit.

“If you happened to miss the big game drawing or were unsuccessful, this is your last opportunity for a chance to hunt big game in Utah this fall,” Utah Division of Wildlife Resources Administrative Services Section Assistant Chief Lindy Varney said. “Don’t forget that you can mentor a youth during these hunts, making it a great opportunity to pass on your love of the outdoors to the next generation.”

The sales dates for the permits can be found on the DWR website, and are as follows: Read more

Hunting

Whitetails Unlimited Grants $97,000 to Catch-A-Dream Foundation

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During the 2025-2026 fiscal year, Whitetails Unlimited has granted $97,806 to the Catch-A-Dream Foundation. The majority of these funds come from WTU’s Dream Sheds program. Since 2006, Whitetails Unlimited has provided grants totaling more than $950,000 to the Catch-A-Dream Foundation.

The Dream Sheds concept began when Mark and Terry Drury, who have produced extraordinary hunting videos and television shows for over 30 years as Drury Outdoors, approached Whitetails Unlimited with an innovative idea. They had collected a large number of exceptional shed antlers from their properties in Iowa and Missouri and were willing to donate them to use as a fundraiser for a worthy cause. Working with WTU, the Catch-A-Dream Foundation was identified, and the program came together.

Catch-A-Dream is a national, charitable foundation, that provides once-in-a-lifetime dream hunting and fishing trips to children across the United States and Canada, age 18 and younger, who suffer from life-threatening illnesses. Through these adventures, and exposure to outdoors-minded people who care, the program instills in these children a message of encouragement at a time when they need to know that hope does exist. For more information about the Catch-A-Dream Foundation, visit catchadream.org. Read more

Hunting

Supreme Court Denies Cert in 18-20 Carry Case, SAF Win Stands

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The U.S. Supreme Court handed the Second Amendment Foundation (SAF) a victory today by declining to hear a case brought by the organization to vindicate the firearm carry rights of young adults in Pennsylvania. By refusing to take the case, SAF’s victory in Third Circuit Court of Appeals is now final.

The Third Circuit twice ruled in SAF’s favor, finding that adults under 21 are indeed members of “the People” as contemplated by the Second Amendment, and therefore enjoy the same scope of rights as all other adults. The ruling struck down a portion of Pennsylvania’s carry regime which prevented young adults from being able to carry firearms during declared states of emergency.

“While a cert grant on this case could have meant an opportunity for the Supreme Court to take our win in the Third Circuit and apply it nationally, we are still content that our victory in this case is now permanent and final,” said SAF Executive Director Adam Kraut. “Adults under 21 enjoy all the same constitutional rights as their older adult counterparts, and the rights protected by Second Amendment are no different. This victory serves as a major stepping stone to striking down additional unconstitutional portions of Pennsylvania state law and those like it around the country.”

Joining SAF in Bivens v. SAF (formerly Lara v. Paris) are the Firearms Policy Coalition and three individuals.

“The Third Circuit ruled not once, but twice, that 18-20-year-olds have the same rights as their peers older than 21,” said SAF founder and Executive Vice President Alan M. Gottlieb. “Those over 18 in this country can buy property, join the military and get married just like those over 21-years-old. Why then should they be forced to wait to enjoy their Second Amendment rights? There is no reason – they are adults under the law and should therefore be afforded their full constitutional rights.”

For more information visit SAF.org. Read more

Gun Control

Supreme Court Takes Up FPC Lawsuit to Strike Down “Assault Weapon” Bans Nationwide

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Firearms Policy Coalition (FPC) issued the following statement in response to the United States Supreme Court granting review in FPC’s Viramontes v. Cook County, Illinois lawsuit challenging the County’s ban on so-called “assault weapons” as unconstitutional under the Second Amendment:

“Moments ago, the Supreme Court granted review in an FPC case challenging Cook County’s ban on semiautomatic rifles. This is not the end of the fight to eliminate bans on so-called ‘assault weapons,’ but it marks the end of the beginning. For years, the FPC Grassroots Army has fought hard to bring this question to the Supreme Court, and now the time has come to march forward and reclaim the rights that were immorally taken from us. And as we approach Independence Day—as our nation celebrates 250 years—we embrace our movement’s next challenge: securing a historic Supreme Court victory that protects the right to keep and bear arms for generations to come. The FPC Grassroots Army will continue to Fight Forward until every ban on constitutionally protected arms is eliminated, full stop.” Read more

General

Supreme Court Grants Cert in SAF Assault Weapons Cases

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BELLEVUE, Wash. — The U.S. Supreme Court has granted two of the Second Amendment Foundation’s (SAF) petitions for a writ of certiorari in both Viramontes v. Cook County and Grant v. Higgins, the organization’s challenges to the bans on so-called “assault weapons” in Illinois and Connecticut.

Originally filed in 2021, Viramontes challenges Cook County’s ban on many commonly owned modern guns, which was the precursor for the nearly identical statewide ban passed by the Illinois legislature. In Grant, SAF is challenging Connecticut’s ban on commonly owned semi-automatic rifles – both by name and by feature set. After a troubling and misguided preliminary injunction decision from the Second Circuit Court of Appeals, SAF presented the case to the Supreme Court for consideration.

“The Supreme Court’s decision to hear these pivotal cases will finally provide the courts the necessary guidance as it relates to the types of arms protected by the Second Amendment,” said SAF Executive Director Adam Kraut. “The modern semi-automatic rifles banned in Cook County, Connecticut and elsewhere are among the most commonly owned firearms in the country, placing them well within the scope of the Second Amendment. The Second Amendment protects arms in common use for lawful purposes, and it’s hard to argue that a type of rifle that potentially outnumbers Ford F-150 trucks in America doesn’t meet that standard.”

SAF is joined in Viramontes by the Firearms Policy Coalition and two private citizens, and is joined in Grant by the Connecticut Citizens Defense League and three private citizens.

“Lawmakers have long relied on fearmongering to pass laws that infringe on the Second Amendment, especially when it comes to common, semi-automatic rifles,” said SAF founder and Executive Vice President Alan M. Gottlieb. “We’re hopeful the Court will finally put to rest the idea that these rifles are not covered by the Second Amendment simply because of their look and features. These arms are no different than other semi-automatic firearms millions of Americans own for self-defense, and we look forward to restoring the right to keep and bear arms for countless citizens through these cases.” Read more

Gun Control
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